"Ohh, wow…" I, who got a little surprised at Leia-san, was looking at
the weapons displayed in the shop with shining eyes.
Besides several types of double-edged and single-edged
longswords, there were also spears, axes, and even a great sword,
which seemed capable of cutting even Adamantia open.
However, I didn't find any kind of armor, so it seemed that this was a
weapon-specialized shop.
Or rather, how did you swing this…
As I was thinking about that while looking at the great sword, Fiochan called out to me. "Are you interested in this great sword? It was
forged by Fio's dad a long time ago."
"Hee, I see. But is there anyone who can swing such a heavy
weapon?"
"Ehehe, I wonder? Dad said that it's fine even if there's no one who
can swing it because it's the symbol of the shop, though." Fio-chan
said happily, which made my face broke into a smile.
Then, Leia-san, who seemed to be free at the counter, asked, "So,
are you a traveler?"
"Ah, yes. I'm called Exa. I was looking for a weapon that suits me,
but the shops were all closed…"
"Well, that's natural. Now is the middle of the 'Martial God Festival'.
They most likely don't have time to care about customers."
"The Martial God Festival?" I tilted my head slightly.
Leia-san asked in astonished manner. "What, you came to this city
without knowing it?"
"Y-yeah, well…"
"The Martial God Festival is a tournament held to decide the best
weapon craftsman among the arms shops in Leolinea once every
two years."
"Hee, so that's why it's so crowded." Everyone had closed their
shops to put their all in making the best weapon.
"Right you are. But the Martial God Festival isn't just about making
weapons. The festival can only be completed when the gathered
adventurers use the weapons made by us blacksmiths."
"I see. So that's why there are so many hot-blooded people in city."
"Yeah. Adventurers who want to make a name for themselves are
eager to be selected by each arms shop. There are many people
who loves to pick a fight at this time, so I'd be careful when I go out if
I were you."
"G-got it…" It appeared that this wasn't a good time to study about
fighting style.
What should I do, then?
Hmm, I pondered while crossing my arms, but something suddenly
got me curious, so I asked Leia-san. "By the way, does your shop
participate too, Leia-san?"
"No, I…"
Then.
――Karan.
"——Apologize for intrudin'. Leia here?"
Suddenly, bad-looking men came barging into the shop.
At that moment, Leia-san hid Fio-chan behind her as though
covering her.
"But seriously, this shop is as gloomy as usual. It's so much different
from the time when Rafla runnin' it."
"Hah, if you came just to spit sarcasm, go back. Your job is just to
keep customers away anyway, right?"
"Well, whatever do you mean, I wonder? More importantly, ain't it
about time you change your mind?"
"It's no use no matter how many times you ask. I won't participate in
the Martial God Festival. There's absolutely no way I'd participate in
such a bloody tournament."
"Haah… it's okay to be strong-willed, but your rent has piled up quite
a bit, ain't it?"
"T-that is…"
"Your shop is about to go out of business anyway. In that case, as a
former number one weapon shop around, it'd be amusing to
disappear in a brilliant manner at the end at least, 'aight?"
"Kh…"
"Besides, you guys——"
Grab, one of the men grabbed Leia-san's arm.
"Ugh!?"
"Mom!?"
"There're many ways to make money, anyways. How about you guys
stay at my place just for toni—buwah!?"
"""""——!?"""""
At that moment, the man's body was wrapped in flames.
Of course, the one who did it was me.
When I was touched by Kaya-san and the others, my flame didn't do
them any harm, but apparently, if I had a clear intention to attack, the
heat that the flame released would greatly increase.
Moreover, it seemed I was able to release fire attribute attacks
without transforming into phoenix.
"W-what the hell did you do suddenly!?"
Naturally, the firepower wasn't life-threatening; the guy should only
be feeling a pricking sensation on his skin.
Well, to be honest, I wanted to grill him, though. "My bad. I just found
your act to be unpleasant in my eyes, so my hand ended up moving
without me knowing."
"C-cut your bullshit!? Don't think you can go scot-free after doing this
to me!?"
For some reason, I felt like I'd heard that line somewhere before…
As I was lost in my thought feeling the déjà vu, the man finally spat
out some threatening remarks while having the other men propped
him by the shoulders, before leaving. "We'll definitely crush this
shop! Prepare yourself, Leia!"
"Hah, don't you ever come here again!" Leia-san replied back
undauntedly.
So headstrong…
◇ ◇
"I'm sorry for getting you involved." After the men left, Leia bowed to
me and said so.
"No, I also apologize for intervening without permission." I reflected
on my actions, too.
Even though I was able to chase them off just now, given that those
guys have some connections in this city, it was Leia-san and Fiochan who would suffer harm later on.
As I thought, that was careless of me…
Looking at me, whose complexion darkened, Leia-san laughed. "No,
no, thanks to you, I was able to let off some steam. Please raise your
head."
"If that's the case, then I'm glad. So, umm, I wonder if you could let
me hear the situation, if that's okay with you…"
"Indeed. It might be fine to tell you. That said, it's not like it's that big
of a deal, though. If you're okay with that, would you listen to me?"
"Of course." I nodded.
Then, Leia-san said, "Thank you," and started talking about the
situation. "My late husband, who died a year ago, was the best
blacksmith in this city. He had won the Martial God Festival many
times. Well, that's exactly why he incurred various kinds of guys'
enmities, I guess. Though I said he has died, has been killed is
probably the more correct way to put it."
"Killed…?"
"...nh." As Fio-chan grabbed her apron tightly as though she was
enduring something, Leia-san nodded, "Yeah. Although it was said
that he suddenly died, I believe that he was killed. After all, it was
right after the victor of the Martial God Festival had been decided.
Moreover, after my husband died, those guys came barging in here
almost every day. In all likelihood, they're very frustrated at losing."
"I see. In other words, those guys earlier are men from another arms
shop, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. The reason why they persistently threaten me to
participate is most likely just because they want to thoroughly crush
our shop. Well, in any case, I have not an ounce of intention to
participate, though."
"Is it, because of what happened to your husband…?" I asked
hesitantly.
Then Leia-san shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, that's a part
of it, but my husband said this when he was alive: a blacksmith
wields their hammers in order to protect someone. That's why I don't
participate in the Martial God festival. Hate to admit it, but my skill
isn't as good as that of my husband's. If I lose with a half-baked
weapon, my husband's name will fall to the ground this time. Even if
the shop goes out of business, I can just start again, but that's not
the case with fame. I want my husband to stay as the best
blacksmith in this city."
"Leia-san…"
In other words, it was certain that the shop would end up being
closed regardless of her participation in the Martial God Festival.
However, even if she participated, there was no chance of winning,
and it would only damage the reputation of her husband.
If that were to happen, she'd rather endure without doing anything.
That was Leia's decision. But then, a thought came to my mind: If
that's the case, then I just need to win the festival with Leia-san's
weapon, right?
There were other problems, sure, but the quickest way to resolve the
current problem was for the shop to get the overall victory.
I had "Phoenix" skill, too, so I thought I had a good chance of
winning.
So, I proposed without hesitation. "——I understand. Then, I will win
the Martial God Festival, so please, give me the best weapon to
protect you."
""Eh?""
Of course, the two's eyes went wide in surprise.